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- Smerf: About halfway through her morning run Isadora sees Laura sitting by the lake, staring out into the water. She looks up at Isadora's rythmic steps and smiles.
- Isadora: Isadora, supposing that she might as well get this conversation over with, comes to a stop by Laura. She nods to her, wordless for a moment as she catches her breath and tries to gauge Laura's mood.
- Smerf: Laura seems calm, peaceful. She seems more relaxed that Isadora has seen her since Sebastian's death.
- Isadora: "What do you see out there?" Isadora asks, her own eyes drawn to the island.
- Smerf: Laura smiles, "Nothing. I find that the emptiness of the lake is relaxing at this time of day."
- Isadora hesitates for a few seconds before speaking again, still a little uncomfortable raising spiritual matters. "I saw Lana not long ago. She suggested speaking to you, though I'm dubious about her motives under the circumstances."
- Smerf: Laura brightens, "She's awake now?"
- Isadora: "No. She appeared in my tent, but was gone after a few minutes. I'm sorry."
- Smerf: Laura's face falls slightly, but she still manages to maintain a smile. "Well, I'm sure she'll be up and about soon. Did she suggest a topic, or just that we talk?"
- Isadora: "She mentioned a topic or two," Isadora allows, folding herself down carefully next to Laura as if not sure whether she'll be staying. Looking over, she says, "You've been surprisingly calm since she and I dueled."
- Smerf: Laura's smile falters a bit, "I suppose I've become a bit numb these days. So much has happened so quickly. I sort of have to smile and move on, or I might not be able to keep going."
- Isadora: Isadora, who finds that a perfectly healthy response, nods. After another few moments of thought, looking back out over the lake, she says, "Sebastian never spoke to you about Okhfels, did he?"
- Smerf: Laura looks at Isadora, "Actually, Okhfels was a not-uncommon topic of discussion there... toward the end."
- Smerf: Laura's smile falters.
- Isadora shoots her a glance. "What did he say?"
- Smerf: "He... mostly asked questions. He wanted to know whether I thought Okhfels would be... good for you."
- Isadora: "But you barely know Okhfels, right? I suppose the advisor must ask advice from someone."
- Smerf: Laura's eyes seem to look into the past, "Sebastian wasn't precisely good at emotional matters. Perhaps you noticed."
- Isadora: "The thought crossed my mind once or twice, perhaps." Isadora shrugs. "But then, I have my own blind spots. I didn't realize he wanted to die until afterwards."
- Smerf: Laura draws a breath to say something and then blinks. "He what?"
- Isadora: Isadora, looking as if she hadn't quite meant to take this turn in the conversation, tilts her head at Laura. "He goaded me into stabbing him, Laura. Why would he do that if he didn't want to die?"
- Smerf: Laura hesitates for a moment, "Are you... are you saying that it's not your fault Sebastian was stabbed?"
- Isadora: "Fault?" Isadora blinks. "I'm not sure I understand. I did it, certainly. And I haven't apologized because if time was reversed, I would probably do it again."
- Smerf: "But you don't believe his death is your responsibiilty?"
- Isadora: "Of course, it was my responsibility, but it was the only reasonable response to his words and actions," Isadora explains matter-of-factly. "In the same way, I'd have not faulted Lana if she killed me for it."
- Smerf: Laura looks confused, "But... Lana would have felt terrible if she had killed you. At least once she found out that Sebastian was your friend, not your enemy; once she found out that his death was an... accident."
- Isadora shrugs. "Naturally, she'd have felt terribly--how do you think I feel about Sebastian? But that didn't stop her from picking up her swords. And Sebastian knew what I'd do when he insulted me." Isadora shakes her head, seemingly struggling with how to make Laura understand.
- Smerf: Laura looks hard into Isadora's eyes, "Did he? Are you sure?"
- Isadora looks back with faint, honest surprise. "If he had doubts on the matter, they should have been resolved the first time."
- Smerf: Laura manages to hold onto her smile despite tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't think I'll ever understand you, Isadora. But I will be here for you. He would have wanted that." She wipes here eyes, "Enough of this morbid stuff! What did you want to talk about really?"
- Isadora: "I'm a very simple person," Isadora says with a brief and wistful smile, then draws a deep breath and clears the expression from her face. Standing and stretching all in one motion, she says, "Talking to you has cleared my head on a point that troubled me. Thank you, Laura. Is there anything I can do for you, besides seek Lana's spirit?"
- Smerf: Laura shakes her head and smiles, the pauses. "Well, you could visit more often."
- Isadora: "Assuming I survive, you have my word on it."
- Smerf: Laura smiles, "I will keep you in my thoughts. Be safe... my friend."
- Isadora: "Take care," Isadora says, squeezing Laura's shoulder briefly. As she resumes the run, she finds herself suddenly and keenly missing Fazeris.
- Egani: After a bit of a hike out to the cave where Archelaus has been staying, Egani looks into the hills wondering if all the talk of goblin activity is a real threat. "Archelaus, are you home?"
- Smerf: Archelaus is just walking up the hill from the other direction, he calls out as he approaches, "Hello, Egani. It's been a while.
- Smerf: "
- Egani: "It has! How are you? I thought we should talk."
- Smerf: "Well, I don't get much conversation these days, so I agree. Sit, sit..." Archelaus looks around for somewhere to sit.
- Egani sits easily on the grass, leaning against a boulder. "There are a couple things you should know. Okhfels and Dhazari -- the Rhiani hunter, were looking for you yesterday. Also, I think that I should transcribe your books. You know how it goes -- once you decide that they're not really a part of you any more, you won't care for them as you should. The information shouldn't be lost."
- Egani: "And it might be useful to others." Egani has a bit of a grin as he says this last bit.
- Smerf: Archelaus blinks. "I can't just give you the books. You must learn them first..."
- Egani: "One of the exercises back at the academy, to help a neophyte learn a new body of text, was to have them copy it. Is that so different from the teaching that you've experienced?"
- Smerf: Archelaus stares at Egani in disbelief. "Learn secrets you are not yet prepared for? That is... madness!"
- Egani pauses for a few seconds, letting Archelaus' words hang in the air.
- Egani: "Archie, it's me. Egani."
- Egani: "You know that I'm ready. Stop letting your teachers talk for you and think about what you know."
- Smerf: Archelaus seems to ponder this for a moment, "Egani, I spent years preparing for the Mysteries, and I lost my way in them. You have no idea how powerful they are."
- Egani: "But Archie, I have someone who's been there to help me. And I'm no babe in the woods."
- Egani: "Look at it this way, Okhfels is looking for you. If he find you, he might try to murder you again. If that happens, what do you suppose will happen to your books? I'm practically the only one around here who can read! But this way, you can help to guide me. You are my safety net. I need you...just like you needed me, when you had no body of your own. When you were trapped on that tower."
- Smerf: Archelaus closes his eyes in thought for a long moment, then looks up. "Egani, you are one of the wisest men I have met." He takes a deep breath, "Very well. Take them." He waves dismissively into the cave.
- Egani: "OK, but I'll hold you to helping me with them. The other thing was really more important. Dhazari says that you owe the tribal circle something. Do you know what that's about?"
- Smerf: Archelaus looks puzzled for a moment, then blinks. "Oh, that... Don't worry about it."
- Egani: "OK, but let me know if you need anything." Egani wiles away the afternoon in Archelaus' pleasant company before departing with his set of grimoires. "Do come around for dinner more often!"
- Smerf: Archelaus smiles, "I should, shouldn't I?"
- Isadora: "...and so," Isadora finishes saying, "I ask you to support me in taking a great risk, it is true. But the fates of our camps are already tangled beyond unraveling--we are already joined in risk by the actions of my government. If we work together now, we can finish business first started thousands of years ago, and all be stronger for it."
- Okhfels: Okhfels stands at the back of the crowd, unable to be unobtrusive and unwilling to be elsewhere.
- Isadora stands, back straight, boot heels precisely together, as if issuing a military report to a commander and a challenge at the same time.
- Egani finds himself near Okhfels in the crowd, having been seeking Isadora and eventually finding her here.
- Smerf: The crowd murmers quietly at Isadora's words. The elders sit together debating with themselves, and finally one of them steps up to Isadora.
- Smerf: He looks out over the crowd, and speaks loudly, "You are right Isadora. Our fates are tied together in this. The people will support you."
- Smerf: The murmering grows a bit louder, but most of the Rhiani seem happy with this announcement. The elder smiles and claps Isadora on the shoulder heartily, "And now we celebrate!"
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